Three Things I've Learned from Community MVPs

Can I tell you something?  I love celebrations.  I really do. 

I love any excuse to gather up lots of people, preferably around food, to delight in each other’s company, and if that food was made together, well gosh, even better! 

I whole heartedly believe we should, if possible, celebrate each and every day; because each one of us is doing something, be it big or small, that's worth jumping for joy about. 

Thank goodness for Brainfood, because we’re all about celebrations around here.  We’re all about singing the praises of our students, community partners, interns and staff whenever we can. 

Yesterday at Community MVPs Graduation, we were able to celebrate 14 incredible individuals, who have made my first year at Brainfood overwhelmingly joyful and enriching.  I know I was supposed to teach them a thing or two about public speaking, teaching and healthier recipe adaptations but gee, I feel like I was the one learning something new each day. 

So as a tribute to them, as a way to say thanks, I’d like to share my top 3 lessons learned from MVPs. 

#1 Share your gifts.
You all can sauté veggies to perfection and cook chicken just right.  Though instead of merely sticking to what you know you decided to do something with those incredible talents…teach others.   

#2 Spice up your life. 
If the recipe calls for spinach, but you really want to add kale, because you think it might taste better…try it.  You might have just created something amazing and brand new. 

#3 Believe in others.
I think this one might be my favorite.  I’ll admit I worried about you MVPs when we’d have workshops all over the city.  I’d wonder… are they really going to come?   Are they really going to travel that far to get here? And you always, always, showed up.  I could always count you not only to be there but to bring joy, professionalism & compassion, providing the best possible cooking experience each time. 

I hope you always know how great you are MVPs and how much I'll miss seeing your shining faces pop into the kitchen (I meant it when I said it was my favorite time of day).

If you ever need someone to remind you of that fact or your looking for someone to jump for joy with well, you know where to find me! 

